Jason Kidd agreed to a six-year, $99 million deal to stay with the New Jersey Nets on Friday, rejecting an offer from the NBA champion San Antonio Spurs.
Since arriving via trade two years ago, the All-Star point guard transformed the Nets from an also-ran into a two-time conference champion.
"After great thought and consultation with the important people in my life, I have decided that I want to remain a New Jersey Net," Kidd said.
His decision came the same day that word emerged that center Alonzo Mourning would join the Nets as a free agent. Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said in an e-mail that Mourning wouldn't sign with Dallas and instead had chosen New Jersey.
A Nets spokesman would not confirm the deal, and a call to Mourning's agent, Jeffrey Wechsler, was not immediately returned.
Mourning can't officially sign with the Nets until Wednesday, nor can Kidd.
Kidd and his family visited San Antonio this week, and his agent said Kidd would make a decision by the start of next week.
But the player made his choice known sooner -- and just 24 hours after there were reports he wanted the Nets to get rid of coach Byron Scott. On Thursday, Nets president and general manager Rod Thorn denied published reports Kidd demanded Scott be fired.
"I have enjoyed being here the past two years, I have worked hard with my teammates and believe in our future," Kidd said Friday. "I've been fortunate to have had significant interest from other great organizations, but ultimately I want to finish what we started here and bring a championship to the Nets."
Spurs general manager R.C. Buford confirmed Kidd pulled out of talks with his team.
"While it is disappointing news for us, we are happy for Jason and his family and wish them continued success," Buford said.
Kidd averaged team highs of 18.7 points and 8.9 assists, plus 6.3 rebounds, and made his sixth All-Star game appearance this season. He also averaged 20.1 points, 8.2 assists and 7.7 rebounds in the postseason, helping New Jersey reach the NBA Finals.
The Nets lost to the Spurs in six games. In 2001-02, the Nets were swept in the championship series by the Los Angeles Lakers.
New Jersey had won just one playoff series in its NBA history until Kidd arrived in a trade that sent Stephon Marbury to the Phoenix Suns
Since arriving via trade two years ago, the All-Star point guard transformed the Nets from an also-ran into a two-time conference champion.
"After great thought and consultation with the important people in my life, I have decided that I want to remain a New Jersey Net," Kidd said.
His decision came the same day that word emerged that center Alonzo Mourning would join the Nets as a free agent. Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said in an e-mail that Mourning wouldn't sign with Dallas and instead had chosen New Jersey.
A Nets spokesman would not confirm the deal, and a call to Mourning's agent, Jeffrey Wechsler, was not immediately returned.
Mourning can't officially sign with the Nets until Wednesday, nor can Kidd.
Kidd and his family visited San Antonio this week, and his agent said Kidd would make a decision by the start of next week.
But the player made his choice known sooner -- and just 24 hours after there were reports he wanted the Nets to get rid of coach Byron Scott. On Thursday, Nets president and general manager Rod Thorn denied published reports Kidd demanded Scott be fired.
"I have enjoyed being here the past two years, I have worked hard with my teammates and believe in our future," Kidd said Friday. "I've been fortunate to have had significant interest from other great organizations, but ultimately I want to finish what we started here and bring a championship to the Nets."
Spurs general manager R.C. Buford confirmed Kidd pulled out of talks with his team.
"While it is disappointing news for us, we are happy for Jason and his family and wish them continued success," Buford said.
Kidd averaged team highs of 18.7 points and 8.9 assists, plus 6.3 rebounds, and made his sixth All-Star game appearance this season. He also averaged 20.1 points, 8.2 assists and 7.7 rebounds in the postseason, helping New Jersey reach the NBA Finals.
The Nets lost to the Spurs in six games. In 2001-02, the Nets were swept in the championship series by the Los Angeles Lakers.
New Jersey had won just one playoff series in its NBA history until Kidd arrived in a trade that sent Stephon Marbury to the Phoenix Suns
